BCCI review meeting to map ODI World Cup roadmap

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to hold a review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, bringing together head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. According to reports from CNBC TV18 and The Tribune, the agenda will centre on the broader roadmap for next year's ODI World Cup and injury management of key players ahead of a crucial all-format tour of New Zealand scheduled for October-November.

The June-July tour of the UK, which ended in a series defeat, is also expected to be discussed at length. However, it is understood that stakeholders, including BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, want to look ahead. Centre of Excellence (COE) head VVS Laxman is also expected to join the meeting.

Rohit Sharma's future under scrutiny

A key topic within the roadmap discussions is the future of senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. While Kohli and Jadeja are not under considerable pressure at present, Rohit has been under greater scrutiny over his place in the ODI side, as reported by CNBC TV18.

According to both outlets, it has been widely speculated that Rohit was intimated by a member of the selection committee—though not the chairman—that the panel had decided to move on from him. He was also asked whether he would call time on his career after the Lord's ODI during India's recent tour of England. However, Rohit's century at Lord's, although it came in a losing cause, changed the situation for the time being, ruling out the possibility of retirement for now.

Despite this, there remains no certainty over whether Rohit will be part of India's squad for the South Africa-bound tour next year, as the team looks ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Injury management and player availability

The meeting is expected to address specific concerns about injured centrally-contracted players undergoing rehabilitation at the Bengaluru-based COE. A BCCI source told PTI, on conditions of anonymity, that the selection committee chief was informally intimated before the Sri Lanka Tests that Jasprit Bumrah would be fit for at least one if not two Tests. Agarkar had also written a mail to the COE seeking more clarity on Bumrah's absence. The source noted that Bumrah's absence was felt in the second Test, where Mohammed Siraj looked distinctly off-colour on a placid track.

Hardik Pandya, who hasn't played any competitive cricket since the IPL, is considered important for the ODI World Cup. The source said Pandya has shifted his base to Bengaluru and plans to train there. However, the team management and the selection committee are clear that unless the COE rules Pandya fit to bowl 10 overs, they won't pick him for 50-overs cricket. Pandya was never in contention to play against Afghanistan.

The COE's Sports Science team has often failed to provide even an approximate timeline for player returns, according to the source. For Agarkar and Gambhir, having an idea about key players' availability is central to strategic planning for marquee tours and big ICC events.

Akash Deep has been at the COE for several months and has not played any international cricket, raising questions about his availability against New Zealand A. Additionally, the squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan includes four injured players—Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana—all following 'Return To Play' protocols.

The source also indicated that some players have been found to be overweight despite fitness tests and Return To Play protocols, with two players above permissible weight when they joined the tour of England.

Agarkar's contract and continuity

Agarkar's current contract as chairman of selectors ends on October 4. Since he is being called for the review meeting, the BCCI might be keen on maintaining continuity with him till the end of the ODI World Cup, as reported by both CNBC TV18 and The Tribune. The BCCI would like the Gambhir-Agarkar-Laxman team to remain on the same page as they navigate the challenges ahead.